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All - Google maps - dan86

New feature on Google maps I found today when you put in directions and set the navigation it now give you a small speedometer readout down in the left hand corner.

Just thought I'd share it will everyone on here.

All - Google maps - alan1302

Surprised they have taken so long to put it in...could do with included speed limits now.

All - Google maps - oldroverboy.

Surprised they have taken so long to put it in...could do with included speed limits now.

Allegedly they also automatically give excess speed warnings too...????

All - Google maps - nellyjak

Yes...ALL there now..I just got a new Samsung Galaxy with all that stuff now on the Google maps app....and a useful message before you start your journey alerting you to any known RTC's/hold-ups along your intended route.

I have been using Waze...but I'll give this one a go.

All - Google maps - Engineer Andy

Yes...ALL there now..I just got a new Samsung Galaxy with all that stuff now on the Google maps app....and a useful message before you start your journey alerting you to any known RTC's/hold-ups along your intended route.

I have been using Waze...but I'll give this one a go.

I used a phone similar to that with Google maps a couple of years ago for work, and it was reasonable back then, not as good as the decent paid-for apps, especially on the re-routing/traffic jams, which often got it wrong because they weren't up-to-date.

Apparently the major downside to using Google Maps for sat nav (other than, until recently, it seems [?], was the lack of a speed limit warning system) was that it is VERY battery and bandwidth-hungry.

I found that using my older (and smaller) Nokia Lumia 620 windows phone with (free) Here Maps (Drive) was almost as good, and it gave me speed limit warnings, as well as using far less bandwidth. Power usage was still reasonably high - the phone would need recharging in 3hrs (from fully charged) if I was using it for satnav duties, even with the voiceover (turn left here, etc) turned off and just relying on the screen.

All - Google maps - alan1302

pparently the major downside to using Google Maps for sat nav (other than, until recently, it seems [?], was the lack of a speed limit warning system) was that it is VERY battery and bandwidth-hungry.

I found that using my older (and smaller) Nokia Lumia 620 windows phone with (free) Here Maps (Drive) was almost as good, and it gave me speed limit warnings, as well as using far less bandwidth. Power usage was still reasonably high - the phone would need recharging in 3hrs (from fully charged) if I was using it for satnav duties, even with the voiceover (turn left here, etc) turned off and just relying on the screen.

Google maps is pretty light weight on battery and bandwidth - and if bandwidth is a concern you can download parts of the UK you need on to your phone. It uses approx 10% battery per hour on a mid range Samsung A40...3 hours use is very low.

All - Google maps - Engineer Andy

pparently the major downside to using Google Maps for sat nav (other than, until recently, it seems [?], was the lack of a speed limit warning system) was that it is VERY battery and bandwidth-hungry.

I found that using my older (and smaller) Nokia Lumia 620 windows phone with (free) Here Maps (Drive) was almost as good, and it gave me speed limit warnings, as well as using far less bandwidth. Power usage was still reasonably high - the phone would need recharging in 3hrs (from fully charged) if I was using it for satnav duties, even with the voiceover (turn left here, etc) turned off and just relying on the screen.

Google maps is pretty light weight on battery and bandwidth - and if bandwidth is a concern you can download parts of the UK you need on to your phone. It uses approx 10% battery per hour on a mid range Samsung A40...3 hours use is very low.

Are you sure about that battery use? I remember using it (admitedly 2 years ago) on a Samsung Galaxy 6 and it used quite a bit of battery just on a 30 min-ish journey to/from work, roughly 15% if I recall. My info generally was gleened yesterday from reading a test report about satnavs from a recent Which? magazine at my local library.

Maybe it depends upon the phone, settings or perhaps it has improved since I used it and the Which tests. I presume yours had the interweb on to get the traffic data, rather than just a map using the GPS locator.

All - Google maps - alan1302

pparently the major downside to using Google Maps for sat nav (other than, until recently, it seems [?], was the lack of a speed limit warning system) was that it is VERY battery and bandwidth-hungry.

I found that using my older (and smaller) Nokia Lumia 620 windows phone with (free) Here Maps (Drive) was almost as good, and it gave me speed limit warnings, as well as using far less bandwidth. Power usage was still reasonably high - the phone would need recharging in 3hrs (from fully charged) if I was using it for satnav duties, even with the voiceover (turn left here, etc) turned off and just relying on the screen.

Google maps is pretty light weight on battery and bandwidth - and if bandwidth is a concern you can download parts of the UK you need on to your phone. It uses approx 10% battery per hour on a mid range Samsung A40...3 hours use is very low.

Are you sure about that battery use? I remember using it (admitedly 2 years ago) on a Samsung Galaxy 6 and it used quite a bit of battery just on a 30 min-ish journey to/from work, roughly 15% if I recall. My info generally was gleened yesterday from reading a test report about satnavs from a recent Which? magazine at my local library.

Maybe it depends upon the phone, settings or perhaps it has improved since I used it and the Which tests. I presume yours had the interweb on to get the traffic data, rather than just a map using the GPS locator.

Yeah, definite about the battery life - use it everyday for work and back with internet on for data.

All - Google maps - nellyjak

Yes...ALL there now..I just got a new Samsung Galaxy with all that stuff now on the Google maps app....and a useful message before you start your journey alerting you to any known RTC's/hold-ups along your intended route.

I have been using Waze...but I'll give this one a go.

I found that using my older (and smaller) Nokia Lumia 620 windows phone with (free) Here Maps (Drive) was almost as good, and it gave me speed limit warnings, as well as using far less bandwidth. Power usage was still reasonably high - the phone would need recharging in 3hrs (from fully charged) if I was using it for satnav duties, even with the voiceover (turn left here, etc) turned off and just relying on the screen.

I had the Nokia Lumia 640 Windows phone previously and used Here maps (drive)...found it excellent tbh

For longer runs I connect my Samsung to a small portable power bank that sits in a very convenient cubby hole in my Estima with a short cable connector...that lasts for hours and and continually keeps the the phone battery full for when I disconnect it at the end of the drive.

All - Google maps - Engineer Andy

Yes...ALL there now..I just got a new Samsung Galaxy with all that stuff now on the Google maps app....and a useful message before you start your journey alerting you to any known RTC's/hold-ups along your intended route.

I have been using Waze...but I'll give this one a go.

I found that using my older (and smaller) Nokia Lumia 620 windows phone with (free) Here Maps (Drive) was almost as good, and it gave me speed limit warnings, as well as using far less bandwidth. Power usage was still reasonably high - the phone would need recharging in 3hrs (from fully charged) if I was using it for satnav duties, even with the voiceover (turn left here, etc) turned off and just relying on the screen.

I had the Nokia Lumia 640 Windows phone previously and used Here maps (drive)...found it excellent tbh

For longer runs I connect my Samsung to a small portable power bank that sits in a very convenient cubby hole in my Estima with a short cable connector...that lasts for hours and and continually keeps the the phone battery full for when I disconnect it at the end of the drive.

I connect my Nokia 620 via charger cable to the cigar lighter. It gets a bit warm, but at least I can drive down to the West Country on holiday without the battery running out (as I have an older car with no modern connectivity or power ports). Hopefully it'll all work fine again when I use it for next holiday in the near future.

All - Google maps - dan86

Surprised they have taken so long to put it in...could do with included speed limits now.

Allegedly they also automatically give excess speed warnings too...????

I didn't get a chance to get up to the speed limit as the rain brought out all the over cautious drivers

All - Google maps - dan86

Surprised they have taken so long to put it in...could do with included speed limits now.

Was thinking this when I first noticed it

All - Google maps - Manatee

Shame they removed the compass a few months back - I found it very useful.

All - Google maps - nellyjak

Shame they removed the compass a few months back - I found it very useful.

I simply set my maps to be always pointing North so I don't really need a compass.

All - Google maps - Bolt

Shame they removed the compass a few months back - I found it very useful.

As far as I know its still there, or at least its on my Note 9 and S8+, even speed camera warnings on both which Google didn't do before the update

All - Google maps - nick62

I find my 2010 AA road atlas still works OK, even after 9 years without a recharge.

All - Google maps - Engineer Andy

I find my 2010 AA road atlas still works OK, even after 9 years without a recharge.

What happens if you're driving alone and need to change the page, especially if the map page you want isn't the one before or after? Or you need to know which exit to get off? Not so good to take your eyes and hands away from where they're supposed to be! :-o

Even so, I still bring mine in case my mobile phone goes kaput or the battery dies. It just means no turn-by-turn navigation. Not so useful if you're in an unfamiliar rural area (often with poor signage) or on a busy fast moving road.

All - Google maps - Ethan Edwards

Sorry another committed Waze user here. It's the real time traffic news / alerts from fellow wazers that really make it head and shoulders better (for me). Theres nothing that I need that Google maps can offer that Waze cannot.

All - Google maps - Happy Blue!

Be careful what you wish for,,,,

Google own Waze (paid $1.3Billion a few years back) and they are slowly integrating the two map systems. At the moment Google Maps takes the same Waze data but is 30 minutes delayed in applying it to the system (I have this from someone who works with the Waze people on a daily basis).

Google Maps does still have a compass - just twist the maps with two fingers and it appears.

I do prefer Waze for driving, but it is very memory and power hungry whereas GMaps are far less so, with offline maps.

All - Google maps - Manatee

That was really helpful re the compass, thanks HB.

All - Google maps - Bolt

I do prefer Waze for driving, but it is very memory and power hungry whereas GMaps are far less so, with offline maps.

Google are working on that, Google did say it should be less power hungry on the next release of Android later in 2019, though even the last release made maps slightly less so and will get better

All - Google maps - Engineer Andy

Be careful what you wish for,,,,

Google own Waze (paid $1.3Billion a few years back) and they are slowly integrating the two map systems. At the moment Google Maps takes the same Waze data but is 30 minutes delayed in applying it to the system (I have this from someone who works with the Waze people on a daily basis).

Google Maps does still have a compass - just twist the maps with two fingers and it appears.

I do prefer Waze for driving, but it is very memory and power hungry whereas GMaps are far less so, with offline maps.

Yet another Silicon Valley tech firm moving towards a monopoly in a market. How long until Google announces it has bought up TomTom?

All - Google maps - Bolt

Be careful what you wish for,,,,

Google own Waze (paid $1.3Billion a few years back) and they are slowly integrating the two map systems. At the moment Google Maps takes the same Waze data but is 30 minutes delayed in applying it to the system (I have this from someone who works with the Waze people on a daily basis).

Google Maps does still have a compass - just twist the maps with two fingers and it appears.

I do prefer Waze for driving, but it is very memory and power hungry whereas GMaps are far less so, with offline maps.

Yet another Silicon Valley tech firm moving towards a monopoly in a market. How long until Google announces it has bought up TomTom?

They are not doing anything different to Apple who is also taking over companies that they need to possibly improve what they do make,(I did say possibly as most is overpriced carp) IMO of course- as I think they have become too big for there own good, unless your an Apple fan who think they are gods

All - Google maps - Engineer Andy

Be careful what you wish for,,,,

Google own Waze (paid $1.3Billion a few years back) and they are slowly integrating the two map systems. At the moment Google Maps takes the same Waze data but is 30 minutes delayed in applying it to the system (I have this from someone who works with the Waze people on a daily basis).

Google Maps does still have a compass - just twist the maps with two fingers and it appears.

I do prefer Waze for driving, but it is very memory and power hungry whereas GMaps are far less so, with offline maps.

Yet another Silicon Valley tech firm moving towards a monopoly in a market. How long until Google announces it has bought up TomTom?

They are not doing anything different to Apple who is also taking over companies that they need to possibly improve what they do make,(I did say possibly as most is overpriced carp) IMO of course- as I think they have become too big for there own good, unless your an Apple fan who think they are gods

TBH we need a break up of many of the tech giants to encourage both competition, innovation and to ensure they don't get too powerful so that they can have significant influences over the way we lead our lives, including really important things like freedom of speech.

All - Google maps - Bolt

Be careful what you wish for,,,,

Google own Waze (paid $1.3Billion a few years back) and they are slowly integrating the two map systems. At the moment Google Maps takes the same Waze data but is 30 minutes delayed in applying it to the system (I have this from someone who works with the Waze people on a daily basis).

Google Maps does still have a compass - just twist the maps with two fingers and it appears.

I do prefer Waze for driving, but it is very memory and power hungry whereas GMaps are far less so, with offline maps.

Yet another Silicon Valley tech firm moving towards a monopoly in a market. How long until Google announces it has bought up TomTom?

They are not doing anything different to Apple who is also taking over companies that they need to possibly improve what they do make,(I did say possibly as most is overpriced carp) IMO of course- as I think they have become too big for there own good, unless your an Apple fan who think they are gods

TBH we need a break up of many of the tech giants to encourage both competition, innovation and to ensure they don't get too powerful so that they can have significant influences over the way we lead our lives, including really important things like freedom of speech.

they appear to have plenty of influence over peoples lives already and I doubt it will change as more people get used to it, as for freedom of speech???

All - Google maps - Smileyman

Without a cradle in my present car I'm afraid to touch the phone for anything. The fear is the fine and 6 points awarded as a prize for being caught. (And impact on insurance afterwards).

Having said this, I keep in my car's door pocket an old AA Member's Handbook. Yes, it's old but it has maps and the M25 was open when printed. Even today I use it to navigate around the country, OK the nanny sat nav finds my destination's front door for me, but for route planning and seeing what's nearby it's marvellous. And, as already stated, it fits the car door pocket with ease.

All - Google maps - Ethan Edwards

Yet to find the map that gives verbal instructions "take the third exit" or in two hundred yards take the next exit. Waze does all that and tells you of problems ahead and usually the reason for them. And it's a free service. Oh and "safety camera" locations and reassuringly where Traffic Police are to be located on your route. Presumably so you can wave as you pass them plotted up.. Last week it told me as I joined a queue Estimated time in traffic eight minutes. It's just superb. Hard to beat that.

Edited by Ethan Edwards on 20/06/2019 at 23:52

All - Google maps - alan1302

Yet to find the map that gives verbal instructions "take the third exit" or in two hundred yards take the next exit. Waze does all that and tells you of problems ahead and usually the reason for them. And it's a free service. Oh and "safety camera" locations and reassuringly where Traffic Police are to be located on your route. Presumably so you can wave as you pass them plotted up.. Last week it told me as I joined a queue Estimated time in traffic eight minutes. It's just superb. Hard to beat that.

Apart from the traffic police locations Google Maps does all that as well for free. Although to be fair most of that I would expect from any half decent sat nav software.